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I recently bought a group of 9 L397 plecos 3 @4 cm and 6 @7cm at first they where in a 3ft tank as still quite young but I began preparing a larger tank for them however they soon went into the cave snatching antics becoming a bit aggressive around this time they stopped eating courgettes i put in daily so i moved them to the, already being prepared with mature water gravel wood and filters , tank a bit sooner than I anticipated although all parameters were fine they're still not touching the courgettes there is flake food going in for the tetras in there and there's lots of plants and obviously wood does anyone have suggestions of what else I can try to feed them they don't show signs of malnutrition -bellies not sunken or such planning to start up a breeding colony with them so at least they seem keen!

Hi pleconut,

Welcome to PlanetCatfish.

So are you saying that they became territorial (the aggressive "cave snatching antics" you mentioned) and now they aren't eating? If so, then my first question would be, are they still pooping? If they are pooping, then they are eating, even if you aren't seeing them eat (they could be chewing on wood). Also, I've seen some plecos stop eating while establishing territories, but that doesn't mean there's anything wrong there - eventually they get hungry, and when they do, then they start eating. I suppose it's possible that the larger fish are oppressing the smaller ones, but even if that were so, the larger fish would still be eating. I say this based on experience with other spp, not specifically L397; but hopefully the advice is near the mark.

My second question is, why do you people across the Atlantic have so many L397 to buy, when we can't find them over here in the USA if our lives depended on it?!? Dang, I'm jealous.

Good luck, Eric

Also, to get better advice, could you please give us more information about your tank? Please read this forum for guidance: BEFORE you post in this forum, read THIS!. Thanks.

My L397s generally ignore veggies. They mostly eat wood, of which I provide plenty of variety. New era pleco pellets and repashy 'morning wood' also disappear but that could be down to the snails...

There is no shortage of woody poo in their tank!

I think maybe they've been eating wood as i've seen them moving under the bogwood and all I have is small tetras that alone wouldn't produce the mess I syphon out every other day the guy I got them from also gave the new era rift lake green so getting some tomorrow hoping this will help.

L397 on AB in Camas WA 98607 United States

http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/ ... 1443948040

Thanks carkichi. I think this is the first time I've seen them for sale in U.S.
Cheers, Eric

I believe my Canadian Importer and AB seller got the fish from the same source. I have been looking for them for few years now. It is very frustrating to see that Australian bred L397s are plentiful and selling at a reasonable price (~$50 or less).

Yeah, the L397 on AB aren't cheap. But in the USA, that may simply be the market value. I looked at the other plecos being sold on AB by the same vendor, and the prices are reasonable for the different species; in other words, it is not my impression that this person has a habit of overpricing their auctions. So even though these fish are $180 per fish, I think they will sell.

My apologies to the OP for getting off topic.

Cheers, Eric

Sourced some new rare rift lake green they are eating this the breeder I got them from said they eat this also on this forum read they eat hikari algae wafers got the mini ones they tend to go for the food if i put it by the caves I heard the cave behaviour is breeding related and though a bit young older group born 26 December last year hoping it means that I have a good potential breeding group the breeder had to stop their parents as he had to many young to shift L397s are up to be banned from export in Brazil because of dam construction so you guys in u.s i recommend to grab them while you can a pair/trio is enough to establish a colony as they mature in about a year my plan is to purchase/swap the odd from far off other sources the odd fish to keep bloodlines pure. They're beautiful fish and watching the cave antics of these guys is the most entertaining thing I've witnessed in my fishkeeping

Another post -I'm thinking of creating a biotope set up for/around paynes catfish seen some for sale call myself pleconut! I'm expanding synos/African cats a fave of mine too did have a giraffe nose called dyson who did extactly this but i wouldn't have been able to provide in long term the size tank he needed -was a begginers whim! But now i'm more experienced i tend to research first although the paynes are very much smaller! does anyone have any tips/ideas want a fairly small set up.

@Admin, would you please move the last post by pleconut over to the African catfishes forum? I suspect pleconut will get a better and more timely response if it's posted there instead of in the pleco forum.

Thank you.

Cheers, Eric

P.S., After the move, I suppose it would also be appropriate to delete this post of mine, since it will no longer be relevant. Thank you

Apologies just joined and posted in wrong place!